Mediaboss Marketing

Ukraine appeared again in Americans view this week with two developments, as the origin of yet another cyberattack and the report of the registration of Paul Manafort, former chairman of President Donald Trumps campaign, with the Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, as a representative of a Ukrainian political party supported by Russia.

It is not necessarily that Ukraine is responsible for these two developments. At the same time, it is as if there were mosquitoes in the house and occasional alligators in the backyard and there is a fetid swamp nearby. It is reasonable to conclude that the skeeters and the gators came from the swamp.

Ukraine is chaotic and lawless. It is a place where cyberattacks can originate and internationally minded political parasites can profit.

The latest cyberattack originated in Ukraine, struck thousands of computers across the world, included attempts at cyber-ransom and apparently was and is beyond the capability of any Ukrainian authority to control. That the world is vulnerable to such cyber-mischief is its own fault, and perhaps inevitable, but it doesnt help one bit that Ukraine, for a variety of reasons, is a corrupt, basically outlaw, society.

That Manafort and Rick Gates, another former official of the Trump campaign, were not only tangled up in Ukrainian affairs but also that their firm carried away some $17 million in the 2012-2014 period is something else again. For an American to represent a foreign country in the United States, as Manafort and Gates did, is perfectly legal. Manafort and Gates did register as foreign agents about five years late.For them to have been involved in an American presidential candidates campaign will be looked at closely by special counsel Robert S. Mueller and others examining Russian interference in Americas 2016 political campaign.

What needs to be done about Ukraine is a separate but important question.

Trump should propose that, under the United Nations, an international conference be convoked that would include Russia and the EU as well as Ukrainians to consider the issues that surround Ukraines future, free of commercial interests. That might be a way to get rid of the political mosquitoes and alligators in this problematic, sometimes dangerous world property.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Trump should

stop bullying

President an honorific were choking on presently Donald Trump sank to another low in decorumThursdaymorning when he lashed out in vulgar, angry terms at two television personalities.All we can ask is: Who in the White House will stop this world leader from destroying his credibility and embarrassing the nation with his pathetic rants?

The subjects of Trumps attack were Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough of MSNBCs Morning Joe, whom he referred to as low I.Q. Crazy Mika and Psycho Joe. His abuse got worse from there.

Read more:
Editorial: Ukraine's mess requires world attention - The Columbus Dispatch

Union-Revolution 5 things: Back to MLS grind after Open Cup exit

CSN

Union vs. New England Revolution 5 p.m. on FS1

Fresh off a gut-wrenching end to their 2017 U.S. Open Cup, the Union (5-7-4) return to MLS play to host a team in the Revolution (5-7-5) they could end up battling for one of the final Eastern Conference playoff spots.

Here are five things to know:

1. Bruised but not beaten Recovering from games four days apart is always a difficult task; recovering from a grueling 120-minute knockout game that ended with a brutal shootout loss to the nemesis New York Red Bulls is even tougher.

But although head coach Jim Curtin said he felt like he and the players let down the fans, hes confident that theyll be up for a quick turnaround.

We will have some fresh legs, Curtin said. With the competitive roster, we have guys we plug in and dont really miss a beat. Thats a strong thing to have. Were a real balanced team and its a group Im confident will be fresh. Even the 120-minute guys are feeling pretty strong and ready to turn it around and go again.

Indeed, four regular starters goalkeeper Andre Blake, defenders Oguchi Onyewu and Ray Gaddis, and midfielder Ilsinho didnt play at all vs. the Red Bulls on Wednesday and another (Chris Pontius) only played 15 minutes.

And as for the guys who went the full 120 minutes, Curtin is feeling good about their effort and recovery, specifically pointing to attacking midfielder Roland Alberg.

It was his best game in a Philadelphia Union uniform, the Union coach said.

2. Gold Cup absences Theres good news and bad news on the international absence front.

The bad news? The Union will be without captain Alejandro Bedoya, whos currently with the U.S. national team leading up to start of the Gold Cup next weekend. And the Union are 5-1 in the last six games Bedoya has started.

The good news is Blake, who was dealing with a minor rib injury, is set to make one final start in Philly before joining Jamaica for the CONCACAF tournament. And hes coming off a monster performance in the Unions 1-0 win over D.C. United last weekend.

The Revs, meanwhile, will be without striker Juan Agudelo (U.S.) and midfielders Kelyn Rowe (U.S.) and Gershon Koffie (Ghana). All three were part of Saturdays U.S.-Ghana friendly, though only Rowe got into the game, earning his first USMNT cap.

3. All eyes on Jones With Bedoya gone and Warren Creavalle hurt, 20-year-old midfielder Derrick Jones has a big opportunity in front of him as a starter for Sundays game and potentially a few more after that.

In Jones last start, he was shown a red card that led to a 2-0 loss to the Red Bulls on June 18. But he said hes learned from that experience and is eager to temporarily take the spot of a player like Bedoya.

I look up to him every day in training, on the field, in games, Jones said of the Union captain. He tells me to play my game, keep doing what Im doing.

Curtin said the first half of the season has gone well for Jones, who began the year of a starter before transitioning to a reserve role. But he expects more from the promising young homegrown.

This is a big time for him now with Ale being out for these next two games, the Union coach said. Hell have his hands full. But his fearlessness is what [sporting director Earnie Stewart] and I love in him and its what we see every day in training. We know hell be up to the challenge.

4. Players to watch Revolution: New England is missing some key players with Diego Fagundez suspended and others injured on top of the Agudelo, Rowe and Koffie international absences. But in striker Kei Kamara, the Revs still have a marquee veteran striker who can turn a game on its head.

Union: This could be an important game for Ilsinho, whos dealing with a calf issue but figures to start at the No. 10 attacking midfield role. And he may need to have a big game to keep that spot, considering Alberg is coming off such a good game and Adam Najem an up-and-comer at the No. 10 spot had an excellent performance vs. the Red Bulls four days ago, according to Curtin.

5. This and that In their Open Cup game Wednesday, the Union finished with 27 shots but only scored once, leading Curtin to have the players work on finishing during practice this week.

Maurice Edu, who hasnt played an MLS game since Sept. 20, 2015, participated in training this week but still has no timetable to return.

The Revs have yet to win on the road this season, going 0-6-3 in nine matches.

The Union are 2-0-1 in their last three meetings with the Revs, outscoring them 8-1.

With seven assists, Revs midfielder Lee Nguyen is tied for third in the league.

Goalkeeper Ryan Meara stopped Fafa Picaultand Felipe did the rest, catapulting the New York Red Bulls over the Union in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16, 1-1 (5-3), in added extra time penalty kicks on Wednesday night at Red Bull Arena.

Its devastating for the guys, Union manager Jim Curtin said to reporters. I couldnt be prouder of the group in terms of the effort we put in. I thought we showed a lot more fight, a lot more heart, a lot of grit, balls, guts, whatever your adjective is, we had more of it.

Roland Alberg and Chris Pontius kept pace with the Red Bulls early in penalties, but a heroic diving stop by Meara on Picault was the difference. Red Bulls veteran Sacha Kljestan gave his club the 4-2 lead but was matched by rookie Marcus Epps, opening the door for Felipe to finish the contest.

I missed, Picault said to reporters. I shot it and he made a good save. It hit the post and thats it.

Despite guessing correctly on nearly all of the Red Bulls attempts, Union backup keeper John McCarthy was unable to make a stop. Meara finished with one.

After qualifying but losing in the tournaments title game in 2014 and 2015, the Union failed to make it out of the quarterfinals last season. This year, the club, which defeated the Harrisburg City Islanders in its first match, wasnt able to survive the Round of 16.

Meanwhile, the Red Bulls advance to face the New England Revolution on July 13 at Harvard Universitys Jordan Field. The Revolution defeated D.C. United, 2-1, on Wednesday.

Trailing by one and after nearly 90 minutes of futility, Alberg and the Union hit gold in the 86th. Launching a long-ball pass into the box, Jack Elliot stunned the Red Bulls back line as the volley landed at the feet of a nearly offside Alberg. The Union No. 10 turned and fired off a shot that beat Meara far side to lock the match at 1-1.

Roland Alberg put in an incredible shift in terms of work rate and effort, Curtin said. Character to come back, this group has that.

But that wasnt the only scoring chance for the Union. Despite shaky defense early, the Union owned the games first great opportunity, when Picault, whose finish was suspect all game, broke free on a breakaway in the 18th minute. His low shot was sloppy and body-stopped by Meara to keep the game scoreless.

We had them on the ropes in their building and we didnt quite finish them off, Curtin said.

It was one of 27 attempts on goal throughout the contest for the Union.

We created enough to win, Curtin said. We should have won tonight.

While the Union missed chances, the hosts took control. In the 41st minute, Bradley Wright-Phillips pounced on a Josh Yaro turnover and slid a centering pass to Kljestan, who easily placed his shot through McCarthy and in for the 1-0 advantage at the half.

We have to regroup and refresh, said Curtin, whose club is set to face the New England Revolution on Sunday at Talen Energy Stadium. This is why our sports science department gets the big bucks. Well be ready to go.

USA Today Images

CHESTER, Pa. -- Sportsmanship isnt dead. In the 74th minute of Saturdays 1-0 Union win over D.C. United at Talen Energy Stadium, Luciano Acosta knocked midfielder Haris Medunjanin out of bounds. Trekking in from midfield, referee Sorin Stoica immediately threw up the red card to eject the United's Acosta from the match. Moments later, play restarted with Acosta still in the game. "All I know is I saw the red card, turned around and next thing I know is hes still on the field," Union center back Oguchi Onyewu said. The red card was pulled for what Stoica believed was Acosta kicking Medunjanin. Unaware that the referee could even rescind the card, the Union man honorably disputed the kick and Stoica pulled the ejection. "I rescinded the card because [Medunjanin] stated that he was not kicked after the play, which was the initial decision I made," Stoica told a pool reporter. Medunjanin explained his side. "I saw the red card and spoke with Acosta and he was saying that he didnt kick me," he said. "I said I didnt feel it also. I went to the referee and he said, 'did he kick you?' and I said, 'no he didnt kick me, I think it was just a push.' Thats why it was no red card for me." He then took a shot at New York Red Bulls player Felipe, who drew a red on the Unions Derrick Jones last Sunday in what the club believed was a dive. "I hope Felipe was watching from last week," Medunjanin said. "I wish he could say the same. I think you need to be honest and I felt like it was just a push."

Union manager Jim Curtin, who admitted he may not have been so honorable in Medunjanin's position, was proud of his player.

"Its not a red card, and I have to give a lot of credit to Haris," he said. "Hes a person that I respect a great deal. Its an incredible act. I think its something you could show to not just young kids but also a lot of the adults that play in professional soccer because what he did is very honorable. Its the right thing to do." While fair play Medunjanin gained respect from Curtin and United coach Ben Olsen, who called him a classy player and classy human being, he was grilled by his teammates, who found the scenario humorous. "I dont know whose team Haris is on, I really dont," Onyewu said jokingly. "I dont know if Haris and the referee or Haris and Acosta are actually best friends, I dont know. Maybe they are going out later tonight and they didnt want any bad tension?" They also found it perplexing.

"I didnt think that was possible, Medunjanin said, a sentiment echoed by Onyewu. The referee chose to do it so you need to respect that. I can talk now and be honest. Maybe if it was a draw, it wouldve been a little different." But it happened and Medunjanin can walk away with three points and an unofficial award for being a class act.

"Everybody said thanks for the fair play, Medunjanin said. Nice gesture of you and thats it. The coach came over to speak with me and I said, 'no problem this is football. We fight for the three points, but we need to be honest.'"

View original post here:
Union-Revolution 5 things: Back to MLS grind after Open Cup exit - Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia

DEL STONE JR. @DelSnwfdn

Social skills for the modern age we all need to work on:

1. The queenly wave (the hand moves side to side from the wrist, the arm does not move as the muscle action is discreetly concealed by arm-length white satin gloves).

2. The recovery from the discovery of not being invited (suppress the widening of the eyes, the doleful down-register of the voice, that momentary ache in your gut when you realize you were not cool enough to be invited to a,b,c. ... whatever event/party/witch burning).

3. The silent belch (a hitch in the breath followed by a peristolic contraction of the diaphragm and the subtle release of Cheeto-scented breath).

4. Like envy (So-and-so likes everything whatitz posts but rarely likes anything you post and do you really care - OF COURSE you care, at least enough to start plotting vengeance).

5. Work on your selfie mug expression the eyes widened in surprise and the mouth an excited I found Waldo O, or the eyes half-lidded, a Marilyn Monroe smile as you peek over a pair of Ray Ban Aviators. Maybe you could pencil in a mole beneath your eye. You think?

6. Learn how to use Photoshops teeth-whitening feature. Either that or stop chewing tobacco.

7. The fear you will traumatize young children by posting photographs of yourself online. Get over it. You are beautiful, even if youre ugly. I know this.

8. Demand the first right of refusal. You dont really want to go to that school play, but you do want to be asked. See Item 2.

9. Work on your general knowledge. Of course you know everything there is to know about 13 Reasons Why, but do you know what year the Magna Carta was issued by Jay-Z?

10. Learn how to properly grip your mobile phone. NO, you do not pick it up with your thumb and forefinger as if it were a dead rat (it is very much alive, unless youve depleted your battery). Nor do you hold it with your fingers touching the screen leaving a crime scene smear of fingerprints. You should hold it with the back of the phone in the palm of your hand and the screen facing forward, as if it were your personal force field against the world. And this is most important: DO NOT PUT IT DOWN, EVER. Not even when youre in the bathroom. Have a bowl of rice handy for when you drop it in the commode.

11. Communicate the fact that you dont actually want to receive telephone calls. Sure, you own a mobile phone. But that doesnt mean you want people calling you. They can text, email, Instagram, Snapcrap or use any number of vacuous social media platforms to communicate with you short of calling, because you are a proud sociopath of the Digital Age and the words interpersonal communication are NOT in your lexicon.

12. Work on your righteous wrath. Everyone online is consumed by righteous wrath, whether theyre sincerely angry or not. You see, its all an act and you are expected to play along. You must be angry about various causes, which leads me to

14. Yes, I skipped 13. Thirteen is bad news. But not this: Pick your causes. Here are some correct causes: reforestation, fighting hunger, saving animals, late-night comedy. Here are some incorrect causes: National Socialism, anything fried, movie cigarettes, the knockout game.

15. Work on buying local. If you can find a T-shirt, or a car, thats made locally, be sure to let us know. Then go on social media and crow about it.

16. The road rage mobile phone fake-out. Somebody does something crazy in traffic. In the past you would have simply returned the favor, resulting in a multi-county high-speed chase ending in a roadside beating and possible structural damage to surrounding fences/road signs/store fronts. Theres an easier way. Hold up your phone, as if youre taking a photo of the offenders vehicle. Then pretend to dial 911 and talk to an imaginary dispatcher as youre gesturing at the offenders vehicle. Then, put down the phone and give an evil smile to the offender. They will drive away and leave you alone.

Contact online editor Del Stone Jr. at (850) 315-4433 or dstone@nwfdailynews.com. Follow him on twitter at @delsnwfdn, and friend him on Facebook at dels nwfdn.

Continue reading here:
DEL STONE JR.: Social skills for the new millenium - The Northwest Florida Daily News

Mexico will face Portugal to try to get their second ever third place in a Confederations Cup and the first one after it changed titles from the King Fahd Cup in 1997. Mexico and especially Juan Carlos Osorio need a result after a very disappointing loss to Germany in the Semifinals. Portugal are also looking for a result but will be without their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who left to meet his new twins boys born to a surrogate mother. Mexico will be without Marco Fabian, who joins the already injured Carlos Salcedo and Diego Reyes. Both teams faced each other in their debut, where they tied 2-2 in which so far has been Mexico's best game of the tournament.

Juan Carlos Osorio's tenure has been rocked hard after another terrible result in a knockout game, losing 4-1 to Germany. While this game was nowhere near as bad as the 7-0 loss to Chile in the Quarterfinals of the Copa America Centenario, this defeat also came against a German team that is considered a B team, although Joachim Lows side has a lot of players that went to the Euros last year. This view could also change if the Germans are able to defeat Chile in the Confederations Cup final. Yet for it to change, a good performance is needed in the third place game for Mexico. In a way this game has a lot of risk but little reward. However, a third place finish is nice against a Portugal team that is still very solid.

While Portugal will be missing Cristiano Ronaldo, they are still a good team and might be favored over Mexico. Their more defensive style could benefit a Mexican team that has struggled in defense all tournament. While it's true that Mexico had their best game against Portugal, they still only got a tie and it only came in the final minute of play. Mexico will really need to improve as they look to start to wash away the sour taste that another lopsided loss at the big stage gave to the Mexican fans.

Date: Sunday, July 3

Time: 05:00 AM Pacific, 07:00 AM Central, 08:00 AM Eastern

Venue: Otkrytiye Arena, Moscow

Television: Telemundo (US-Spanish), Fox Sports 1 (US-English), UnivisionTDN (Mexico), TDN (Mexico), SKY Planeta Ftbol (Mexico), Sky HD (Mexico)

Streaming: fuboTV (Free trial + monthly subscription), Fox Sports GO, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo

Listings via LiveSoccerTV.com.

View post:
Mexico vs. Portugal live stream: Start time, TV channel, and how to watch Confederations Cup online - FMF State of Mind (blog)

Former President Obama is involved in discussions about the future of the Democratic Party, sources close to the former president tell The Hill.

Since leaving office, he has held meetings on a by-request basis with a handful of House and Senate lawmakers in his office in Washingtons West End and over the phone.

In recent months, for example, he sat down one-on-one with freshman Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), according to a Democrat familiar with the meeting.

He has also met with and has had phone conversations with Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez throughout the spring,according to two sources.

Obamas former political adviser David Simas, whois now the CEO of theObama Foundation, has also been making a string of calls to DNC officials in recent months.

Sources familiar with Obamas meetings with members of Congress declined to offer the names of all of the lawmakers he has met with, saying the sessions were meant to be private.

The DNC source described Obamas chats with Perez as regular check ins.

Obama hasnt had a major public presence on the political stage since leaving the White House.

He doesnt want the focus to be on him, said one source close to the former president. He doesnt want to be out in front.

But the private activity suggests that the former president,who left the White House with a 60 percent approval rating, is quietly doing more to shape the party than is often visible.

The meetings and calls have come at a time when the Democratic Party, still reeling from the stunning 2016 presidential election loss, is searching for leadership.

As the party attempts to rebuild, Democrats find themselves in an identity crisis, still trying to figure out how they lost white working-class voters and the states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin to President Trump.

A string of disappointing House special election losses has contributed to a sense of unease, and left Democrats questioning some of their leaders particularly House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.).

One source close to the former president said that while Obama wants to provide space for new leadership in the party to step in, he also wants to be an available resource for those drafting the Democratic message.

The conversations between Obamaand the lawmakers and party leaders aresaid to vary.

With Perez, the men discussed the outlines of the party's future. With others, he has discussed policy.

Obama known for his ability to reach various segments of the Democratic Party has talked about bridging the partys current divide by explaining policy nuance in story form.

Obama's post-presidency office would not comment for this story.

The former presidentis expected to stay out of the political fray for now, sources familiar with hisplanning say, but he will begin emerging on the fundraising circuit and on the stump for candidates including Ralph Northam, the Democrat running for governor of Virginia, in the fall.

Northam approached the former president who carried the state in 2008 and 2012 with the help of millennials and African-Americans and asked him to get involved.

When Obama does hit the trail, he is expected to keep the debate policy-focused and at least initially he wont be pounding the drum on Trump.

Obama has taken a similar tack when he does weigh in publicly. He does so sparingly, when he feels much is at stake, those around him say.

Last week, for example, as Republicans considered a bill aimed at repealing his signature healthcare law, Obama put out a statement blasting his opponents for putting the American people through pain.

Simply put, if theres a chance you might get sick, get old, or start a family this bill will do you harm, he said in the statement. And small tweaks over the course of the next couple weeks, under the guise of making these bills easier to stomach, cannot change the fundamental meanness at the core of this legislation.

Obama also weighed in on the French election, choosing to endorse the eventual winner Emmanuel Macron over the far-right candidateMarine Le Pen.

While Obama who still lives in Washington remains out of the political spotlight, his post-presidency work has kept him on the road and meeting with world leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The meetings have left some Democrats pining for what was during the Obama presidency and contrasting it with Trumps rocky foreign policy relations.

A news story in The New York Times, noting the chumminess in Obamas meetings with foreign leaders, went as far to say, one might be forgiven for thinking that Mr. Obama was trolling President Trump.

Those in Obamaworld say that wasnt the former presidents intent and that his focus is on his foundationand other post-presidency efforts.

He doesnt want to be president or the voice of the Democratic Party, one former Obama aide said. But hell definitely be there to guide folks along the way.

Continued here:
Obama plays behind-the-scenes role in rebuilding Democratic Party - The Hill